For a while Christian stood beside the bed wondering if he should wake his sleeping beauty or not. He couldn't help but debate on that since he didn't want to become the source of her discomfort but for the hour he had to come and go checking if she had waken from her slumber. It was half past ten in the morning and long gone was time for waking up but his dear wife hadn't.
He began pacing back and forth running his fingers through his hair in uneasiness, cladded in a pair of Navy blue loose pant and a white equally loose button up shirt and though the colours matches perfectly well with his complexion the looseness of the outfit made him appear quite older and less fashionable. Finally making up his mind he came into a halt beside the damsel and crouch coming face to face with her smooth features.
Gently he patted her on the upper arm but she didn't respond and he was propelled but nothing happened with a sigh he jiggled her but instead she turned her head towards the other side muttering incoherent words.
A bulb lighted on his head as an idea sprang up in his mind and he stretch out his hand reaching for a jug of water on the bed side table,he then spilt small quantity of water on his handkerchief and rub it on the exposed side of her face.
With a jolt Zarah sprang up into a sitting position when the cold fabric touch her bare skin.
"sorry you wouldn't wake up" Christian apologized and Zarah zoomed her eyes at him with her eyebrows furrowed together and a scwol on her face, for a while she stared at him silently as a sign of warning as anger rose within her.
Then without a word she pulled the blanket over her head and went back to sleep.
"Zarah we have to leave" trying to get her to her feet. but no response and with that he left the room.
Christian made his way down the stairs and beside it was a lady about his mother age standing with her hands crossed as a smile that didn't reach her eyes stretch across her face and with her black dress and maroon deep shawl wrap around her upper arm one will pass her for an evil blood sucking witch.
"good morning ma'am" he greeted her recognizing her as Zarah's aunty.
The woman tightened her lips in response, taking Christian's right hand she clasp it around her bony ones and nodded.
"call me Matilda or better still mother,that will be more comfortable" she said with her not so sweet voice display and oddly arrange set of teeth with a missing incisors and canine on the right.
"I sure will" Christian replied as a his river deep dimples came into full view.
"where's she?" Matilda asked letting go of Christian's hand.
"Zarah your wife" she added when Christian gave her a confused look.
"upstairs" he responded.
"thanks boy" she said giving him a friendly pat on the back as she made her way up the stairs.
"third room left" Christian called out from below and immediately he felt a pang of guilt for not telling the woman his wife was still asleep and she be left alone but maybe she could help get her up quickly and off he went happy with that thought.
******
Matilda watched Zarah's form sprawled carelessly in an unladylike manner on the bed her fours were directed towards the four corners of the room like cardinal points as she snores away oblivious of the figure beside her.
Matilda stoop low a smirk on her face,with surprising strength for her skinny fragile form she pulled the arm of her niece towards her and Zarah landed on her front on the cold tiles floor with a thud. Full of rage and fully she picked the pillow on the bed and threw it towards the cause of her fall while yelling.
"you fool I told you to let me be".
The pillow hit her aunt left side of the face and fell in her feet,she clench her teeth felling the effect in her bones,blood rushed to her face as she boiled in anger.
furiously she pulled Zarah with amazing strength to her feet and held her face with her bony hands dipping her slender thumb and forefinger into Zarah's cheeks.
Her face went pale at the sight of her Confronter, she wiggled herself with youthful strength our of her aunt's grip and glared back at her in furry.
" you stupid child is that how I thought you to respect a child such as your husband?" Matilda questioned anger radiating in all of her features.
"what's there to respect and what possible good thing could you teach me other than laying under men for money, getting drunk and being wretched?" Zarah questioned with equal fervour.
"you daughter of a bitch, who gave you the right to questioned me like that?" Matilda demanded her eyes bulging out due to intense anger as she lifted her hands to strike Zarah but Zarah quickly caught it up in the air and pushed it to the side.
"the time you could freely do that had had long gone and so is your right as my acting mother, am twenty not nine incase you did forgotten" Zarah warned and Matilda's head went blank as she stared at the figure in front of her and gone was her sense of thought and speech,even her mouth hand ran short of fluid. The two women young and old for a while involve themselves in a stating contest.
Zarah was the first to look away out of guilt no matter what though this lady irritated her to the core she still had been the lady who fed and clothed her for the past eleven years.
"is that bitch suppose to me my mother.... your sister?" Zarah her asked daring Matilda with her eyes to confirm it,but instead her features went pale as she slumped her shoulders.
For awhile the duo stood awkwardly no one daring to look at the other. Matilda couldn't help but be bewildered at how this innocent child from nine years ago had grown to be so stubborn and no longer quiet but a lady with so much outburst and that caused to lift her head towards the lady who one could pass for her child due to the great resemblance,well except for the difference in their skin colour and at that moment Zarah decided to lift her head as well and their eyes met and both quickly looked away.
"you thought I was being wicked to you" Matilda finally said and Zarah gave a sad chuckle as she said.
"I never thought it was obvious you were"
"I was doing my best to make you the best" Matilda responded as her eyebrows furrowed together.
"really, by sending me to military school?"
"you were getting out of hand"
"and so we're you children, but since I was the odd one out who didn't belong,you decided to dump me away in military school for three years with a single visit" Zarah said as bitterness rose to her gut.
"I realize I raising you the way your mom would have,my life was messed and I was wild I wanted none of you to follow my ways and all I could think of was that school " Matilda defended as she sat on the bed to relax herself.
"really i don't think for once you regretted your ways as far as am concerned you are still vile and a Scrooge just like before" Zarah said and hurt flashed through her aunt face.
"I had my father's sister you could have let me go to her or better still go back to my father's house in Nigeria but you took all the money I saved and refused me my visa, you wanted to tie me down like someone in bandage" Zarah added when her aunt said nothing.
"really you know we aren't friends with that woman,she did think of me as an incapable woman and I won't condone that" Matilda said.
"pride comes before a fall" Zarah said in rebuff.
"stop it already, you can't continue to criticize like that,I've turned a new leaf am trying to be good to you" she yelled.
"I don't want that,the time I craved for that had passed, all those times I yearned to have a mother console me, fight for me and defend me had gone,I was bullied at school but no one fought for me,even your daughters none of them cared to put off all those bullies away as my older cousins,instead they stood by and watch how a biracial girl was being bullied laughing it off joyfully while I cried and wallow in grieve and solitude, night and day I cried for my parents yearning for their love that I couldn't get from you, but to you I being a nuisance and you would lock me away in the store and allow me to cry because my voice was pain to your ears as you always said and when started bed wetting you would scream and scold me,make me hand wash the bedsheets even though I hardly can and your children avoid me like a plague calling me all sort of names and passing rumours about me in school, damn it your whole family was against me and your husband will just stare and follow whatever it is you say doggedly" Zarah said in one breath chuckling at the end.
"is that what you think, I fed and clothed you,I sponsored your education while laying under men just like you said, and it was all for you and my children,my husband lost his business due to bad investment and I had to carry the load of the family on my head since he suffered so much due to his downfall and he affected alot and at that thing with all those troubles and everything I felt you were an additional burden I had to cater for" she yelled.
"it doesn't justify the fact that your whole damn family hated me,I was rejected, I felt unworthy,I had no one to turn to no friends and no family,you could just send me back to my father people,but you didn't I begged to go back k but you refused,the only friend I had was Jack who understood close to nothing at that time and you dare tell me you went through fire for me?..... fuck that bullshit" Zarah cursed.
"you won't talk to me like that young lady"Matilda said pointing a finger towards Zarah.
" when did you care about good values when you never instill them on your children? it just so odd that you if all people will give such warning " Zarah said and slowly Matilda put her hand away.
"I felt rotten for all I did,my children became wayward and I wanted you to be different and the best I could do was send you away and that I did to rid myself of the guilt" Matilda said.
"you still married me off,like before was it for the money?..." Zarah demanded and her aunt shot up at once.
"I have my reasons and you dare not question my character again" Matilda warned in furry.
"you do realize this my husband house and I won't have you speak to me like that in a place that belongs to me" Zarah said as she levelled her gaze with her aunt's.
"Zarah..... her aunt began but was shut up by her niece harsh words.
" fuck out" she shouted as she pulled the door ajar indicating that her aunt step out.
for a while Matilda stood still in her position surprised at Zarah's outburst they had never been compatible since the girl became fifteen, at that age Zarah had grown invincible wings and would never agree with her decision every discussion they had always end with anger and stepping on each other feets and Matilda couldn't help but blame herself for the girls present character, if only she had properly cared for her things wouldn't have ended this way and now that she had changed and wanted to mend was with her all odds seems to be against it and that's why the Igbo adage will say: if you don't tend and bend the a okra plant when it would be had for you go reach it when it had grown and become fruitful and that was the situation between herself and her niece. slowly she walked out of the room and her niece bang the door loudly behind her in annoyance.
Matilda straightened her her garments immediately she was outside the room,she tried her best to soften her facial features to rid any evidence of what as transpired inside but couldn't since her inner self was boiling in anger.
she hissed in annoyance and walked down her shoes clicking against the maple floor.
"ooh Matilda,you came" Nora said as she made her way into the living room from the kitchen.
"good morning Nora" Matilda said as she gave the Nora a side hug.
"I thought you be late and miss saying your good byes, by the way have you met your niece?" Nora asked in her usual jovial manner returning Matilda's smile.
"I did" the other lady replied plainly.
"Zarah is such a beautiful smart lady" Nora said full of pride for her daughter in-law.
"and equally stubborn" Matilda chip in and the other lady couldn't help but give a small laugh as she nodded her head in agreement.
"well said" Nora said admix a beautiful smile.
******
Zarah leaned against the door and sigh then her hand went to her face as she walked towards the dressing mirror and stood before it.
Now staring back at her reflection she inspect the small red marks on either side of her subsequently he pressed the points with both hands and flinch in pain,with an annoying hissed she back off and made her way into the bathroom.
After brushing and washing her body she made her way out and cladded herself in loose army green cargo pants and over it a coffee brown loose short sleeved shirt and feet white high top sneakers with black stripes. Right on queue the ringing of her phone filled the room and with a groan she sat on the bed to retrieve it. Without checking the ID of the caller she answered it and held it to her ear.
"hello...." she said with a pissed off voices.
"Zarah....." the caller yelled in a shrilled voice from the other end of the line and her heart skipped a beat in fright,for a while she had to put the phone away from her ear until her heart beat stabilized.
"what the hell Anna, do you know that sound beyond 115 decibel could deafen a person, I almost lost my heart at the expense of your shrilled voice,geez Anna do you want to kill me by heart attack?" she demanded in a pissed of tone.
"am sorry I didn't mean it,anyway that aside, how is your Chris?" Anna demanded as she shuffle on her feet and Zarah could deduce that by the sound from the background because it was her usual way of talking especially when she is excited.
"am not a slave master Anna I can't own a human" Zarah said in a slightly annoyed tone as she sucked in more air into her lungs.
"come on Zarah you know what it is I mean, he's your husband and " yours" shows ownership and are you still angry even after I've apologized? " Anna demanded not oblivion of the time Zarah had use for her previous words.
"hell yes Anna you don't know the feeling am still battling to catch my breathe" she responded in matter of fact.
"am truly sorry I shouldn't have" Anna apologized once again feeling guilty.
"it's okay" Zarah responded nonchalantly now feeling at peace.
"so how is handsome Chris?" Anna demanded recalling how good looking Christian had been in his white suits jacket and black pants with matching pointy toe shoes.
"good"
"good is that all you have to say" Anna asked pleased.
"what else can I say?" Zarah demanded already frustrated with the discussion.
"you can say more than " good" like the good things about marriage for us who are coming up you know, how good your husband is and you know those intimate things couples do under the bed covers that causes one to blush" Anna said with a chuckle probing Zarah so more.
"dream all you want but you're hearing none of it,moreover nothing like that had happened and it will never,so the earlier you do away with those thoughts and tell your itchy ears to stop ringing the better for you" Zarah answered.
"so you're not....?"
"am not" she said adamantly and Anna gave a disappointed sigh.
"seriously I don't get you girl,what's eaten you up,you can't even for once try to please your good friend by giving juicy news,just this once tell me something" Anna begged.
"I said am not" Zarah said and quickly turn off the call.
But few seconds after she did Anna began calling again and she groaned inwardly pushing the phone to the side. But Anna kept on calling until Zarah picked at the fourth ring out if frustration.
"what?" she yelled.
"I called Zarah, am paying so why rudely turn off the phone on me,I don't know why you're do sucked up and so far away from being friendly like being nice kills am just so tired of this personality of your yours" Anna blotted in anger.
"I don't like people asking me personal questions, am not used to being concerned or cared for if it's too much for you to bare then you should just go your way" Zarah said.
"am sorry Zarah, I know this is new for you I shouldn't have said all that okay,but anyway I think you married the right guy,I can't help but be happy for you,he's quite handsome and a man with the golden heart" Anna said to lighten the tense air.
"and am the one with the rock heart?" Zarah questioned.
"of course not, I didn't mean that, though it's true you have a hard heart but I know Chris softness will penetrate through" Anna said.
"you hardly know him and you're already vowing for him like you have known him forever" Zarah said.
"a good heart cannot be hidden, anyway I wanted to inform you that Marlo is throwing a bash today and all college students are invited,will you be able to come now that you're married and no longer a free bed?" Anna asked in a concern tone and at that moment Chris made his way into the room.
Ignoring him Zarah concentrated on her phone call as she responded.
"am married not imprisoned, I will be there,
what's the appointed time?" she demanded.
"quite late it start at six thirty, but are you sure Chris will permit you to attend?" Anna answered.
"I will be there"
"fine then,my regards to your hubby" Anna said and with that she ended the call.
Christian who had been watching quietly from the door as his wife talk into her phone slowly made his way towards her and sat on the edge of the bed.
"good morning" Christian greeted but Zarah ignoring his greetings type furiously into her phone.
"mom said you should go have your breakfast so we could leave" Chris added and at that Zarah shot her head up and stared into his sea blue eyes.
"leave and where are we off to?" she demanded in an icy cold tone.
"San Francisco" he responded.
"San franc.... what ?" she asked.
"San Francisco I live and work there" he responded.
"hell no,I go no where with you,you can go all yourself by yourself,I belong here in Sacramento, I know no one in San Fransisco, how will I survive?" Zarah said in anger as her her nose flared in anger.
"I understand it's hard for you,but we have no choice" Christian said.
"I will stay back in Sacramento with your mother you can go off on your own" Zarah said.
"we are newly Wed Zarah and mother won't permit that,it's traditional that husband and wife live together Zarah" Christian said.
"we won't be the first neither the last couples to live apart,my decision is final am going nowhere with you" Zarah said as she got off the bed.
"am sorry Zarah I know that you're not comfortable with this but you could compromise a bit" Christian pleaded.
"am done compromising and what about my school Christian?" Zarah asked in a defeated tone.
Christian silently got up and walked towards Zarah by the window.
"we can get you a transfer" Christian said and Zarah lifted her head from the ground towards Christian.
"I don't want a transfer, I want to school here please talk to your mother Chris" she said in a pleading tone and at that moment Christian couldn't help but grin.
"Chris" he likes the way she had called his name like the way someone who was well acquainted with him will and it made him blush furiously causing his dimples to deepen and cheeks to turn tinted red.
For the first time he's heart had swell due to something she had said even though she had only called the short form of his name.
He nodded in response unable to say a word.
He silently watched her as she bounced out of the room.
******
Zarah bounced down the stairs in a fresh pair of clothes, furtively she made her way round the stairs and around the the only pillar in the living room careful not to draw the attention of the elders in the room consisting of her mother in-law, Christian aunt and cousin to her herself. Carefully she sneaked into the kitchen low and behold sat little John playing with his toys on the floor oblivious of her approach and she on the other hand while turning left and right to see if anyone was in sight was about to step on the kid when her eyes caught sight of him and she stepped back tripping on her foot and almost fall over him,she fell on the ground hitting her rare and held John in an attempt to protect him. John stared at her not knowing why his big aunt was on the floor and holding onto him in that manner,then his eyes caught sight of her swollen cheeks as she retained air in pain so she won't cry out. Getting an idea of what had happened as her eyes bulge out of their sockets John began to giggling, Zarah quickly covered his little mouth with her palm to shut him up.
"bad kid" she muttered under her breathe and his face fell while his eyes began to form a puddle.
"I won't buy you sweet if you cry" she muttered and quickly were gone the tears.
"good kid" she muttered patting his back and he grinned.
"be a good boy and go play with Grandma" she said helping to his feet and then stood up herself.
she help gather a few toys on his little hands and sent him into the living room.
she silently cleaned her hands and stood akimbo satisfied with her actions,she looked around one last time wondering why she was being secretive anyway.
Then with full confidence she bounced out of the kitchen into the lawn kick start her motor cycle and zoomed off.
She drove with full force causing her untamed hair to fly wild in the air and her shirt to fly back behind her exposing the front view of her black tank top.
Though she knew she was disobeying the rule by driving off speed limit she didn't give a care at that moment all she wanted was have a few minutes of freedom to her satisfaction.
From the gates students of different kind be heard hailing her name as she zoomed in through the gate of Marlon's parents mansion and that was exactly what she needs to cool down her self. She came into an abrupt stop just few inches away from the reason of this bash. He stood in all his mightiness two young bimbos hanging on either side of his arm. His handsome face was looking dashing as usual under the tint light that lighted the large the whole environment. She smirk at him as she got off from her bike. Marlon the school hottest guy and a friend of hers couldn't help but grin as she moved closer to him.
"was up bro" she said bumping a fist against his bare perfectly muscled chest which was on full display.
"you're late" he said removing his hand from the slatterns grasp and they both groaned as they both stared down at Zarah in annoyance not happy with her for taking the attention of their man away.
"sorry girls,don't blame me she's my favorite and the woman after my heart" Marlon said holding onto his chest dramatically and both ladies huff as they turned and walked away with their nose up in the air.
"come on babe" Marlon said while wrapping an arm around Zarah's shoulder but she pushed it away and kneaded him on the ribs.
Marlon gave a fake wince and jolted back clutching to his side.
"I wish,I won't choose you even if you're the last person on earth" Zarah said with a huff and Marlon couldn't help but chuckle.
"we will see about that, you will definitely fall for me, all girls do" Marlon retort confidently.
" do not put too much value to yourself moreover am not just any girl sir Marlon " Zarah said pretending to take off and invisible hat as she began walking towards the beautiful white mansion.
"Marlon...?" she called as she stared around the crowded environment. so many teens and youths could be seen hanging around every corner,some behind the flower plant others at the swimming pool and a few at the empty packing space male and female but mostly girls. Smoking and making out were the sole activity of the night,Zarah shook her head disapprovingly.
"yeah...?" Marlon said standing behind and towering over her.
She moved away with a slight cough uncomfortable with their proximity.
"so many hussy" she said.
"I love the ladies and the ladies love me" Marlon responded in a cheeky voice and Zarah was tempted to knead him again but she didn't.
At that moment two blond floozies decided to walk by both cladded in nothing Les than bra and panties.
"hi Marlon" the both said in unison in a saccharine voice.
"hello" Marlon said in a husky voice droning at the beauties while Zarah stared in awe recognizing them as the bitchy untouchable Scott identical twin sisters.
Zarah strike him on the ankle with her boots to get his attention.
"focus" she said pointing her fore and engagement finger at him.
"did you tell them it was a pool party?"
"no I didn't"
"so why such outfit"
" how will know,but it suite them perfectly well" he said with a grin.
"shameless" Zarah said as she eyed him up and down.
"come on Za I didn't put those on them,but I think you will look great in one of those" Marlon said with a grin while wiggling his eyebrow at her.
"fool,you aren't any different,no wonder you're cladded in such" Zarah said eyeing down at Marlon's loosely hanging black pants and peeping boxers.
"don't you feel the cold?" she demanded pointing her nose towards his shirtless chest while rubbing her palms against her exposed skin suddenly feeling the harsh chill air of the night torment her.
"why would I when I have you to keep me warm" he flirted while grinning from ear to ear.
"arrgghh, a wish I won't fulfill even if it was your last" she retort.
"I know yo za you will do anything for that opportunity" he countered.
"I told you,you might have a wonderful face but you're bad at giving people nicknames" Zara said with a frustrated groaned.
"my words exactly, imagine him giving that ex of his the pet name Gaga short for Gladys, when she was flat back and front and had nothing close to lady Gaga" Anna chided in as she match in step with the duo.
"where from?" Marlon demanded.
"not your business" Anna responded.
"it is when it is a place within the vicinity of my environment" Marlon said.
"what's the reason for this bash?" Zarah demanded.
"after the among of being on those hot seats in the name of writing exams ,the college student something to cool them off" Marlon responded.
"will the Chancellor want to hear his son say that?" Anna demanded.
"I needed to fill in where my father had fail and we all we admit he has failed in making study fun for us all" Marlon said with a shrug.
"is aunt aware of all this?" Zarah asked.
"of course not,they've been away in Italy with her sweet heart for two days now and will be back in a fortnight, she did skin me alive if she finds out, but thank God, I was smart enough to tip off the staff to keep quiet, I was even generous to invite them to the bash" Marlon said with pride.
"and the neighbours?" Zarah and Anna asked in unison.
" they don't dare if they want their kinds to live at peace" Marlon said.
"Marlon...?" Anna called and Zarah and Marlon both turned towards her and then followed the direction of her hand which led to a couple straddling each other behind and oak three.
"what the....?" Zarah exclaimed in surprise while Marlon whistled with a coy smile on his face as he watch the guy almost rid the lady of her small dress.
"Marlon we are decent enough not to want to see a blue fill display at this hour of the day in this environment" Anna said.
"atrocity,Marlon do something" Zarah said typing his arm.
"Charlie stop that,definitely not in my party, here I own all the ladies" Marlon shouted at the top of his voice and all eyes were transferred towards the red hair guy and his mate in red.
"damn you Pitt" Charlie shout back addressing Marlon by his surname as he let go of the brunette in his claws and people who heard couldn't help but laugh.
"I love you too Carson" Marlon retorted while air kissing his friends.
"fools and by the way you don't own me" Anna said as she walked away.
"me neither" Zarah said walking behind Anna.
"I may have all the other ladies bow at my feet but you're the sole proprietor of my heart" Marlon and Zarah shook her head as she kept on walking.
"she's taken" Anna responded but Marlon was now bust hugging a girl and didn't hear.
The two friends walked to a secluded and less crowded spot.
"so how is Christian?" Anna demanded.
"will you worry yourself sick about him now and forget about me,moreover you've already asked about him in the morning" Zarah complained as she sat down beside her friend on a plastic seat.
"and did I get profitable response to that?" Anna demanded.
"if you're going to go on and on about Christian then I did like it you don't say a word at all" Zarah fired and Anna shit up.
For a while they were both quiet each having rational thoughts.
"do you know Marlon is now dating that black haired girl from Alaska, few days and then like a faded clothing he did throw her away" Anna said breaking the silence.
"if you won't stop going on and on about this two men Anna then I did leave you and return only when you finally get back your wits,I can't relieve that silly crush if yours survive all this years" Zarah said in a pissed off tone as she got up up from her seat and moved to the pool to stand alone while Anna feeling dejected walked away to find someone who was ready to listen to her.
*******
"calm down son, she will come back" Nora said trying to pacify her son who had been spacing back and forth for the past two minutes worried sick about the whereabouts of his wife.
"mom it's after eight and she's still out there,what if something happens to her? and her phone is unreachable" Christian said unable to settle down.
"come sit" his mom ordered and he stared strangely at the space she had made for him on the couch before proceeding to sit.
"now take a deep breath" she ordered again and he obliged.
"you will think better if you're calm" she added and he nodded.
"I went to see her aunt mom and she said she hadn't seen her since she left here,am scared she might get hurt" Christian said in a worried tone.
"she's smart,strong and wiser than you think" his mother responded as she patted his back.
"I will go look for her" she said shooting up.
"just wait few more minutes she might come home soon" his mom advised.
"no mother,it's already five minutes to nine I can't sit back doing nothing" he responded making for the door and his Mother sigh.
"any idea of where she could possibly be?" Christian asked coming to a halt at the door.
"I have none" his Mother responded and with that he went out hop into his car and drove off wondering where his woman could be at this hour while praying she's alright.
******
remember to vote and comment as you read ,comments are votes are great boosters to creative writing and quick updates. thanks for coming with me through the journey thus far.